Chimney Rock (4/3) Hike Preview

We'll return to Point Reyes National Seashore for this hike which we do every year in April. (Click here for a recap of our 2010 trek). Here's what Wendy promises for this outing: "This is one of Marin's must-see spring wildflower displays which includes some beautiful endangered flowers. We may see some late elephant seals at the overlook and we'll take time to learn about their history and return from the brink of extinction. Bring binoculars if you have them"  (Click here to view photos from past hikes at Chimney Rock).


Directions to trailhead: Take Sir Francis Drake Boulevard to Olema. Turn right at Olema onto Highway 1, then make an immediate left onto Bear Valley Road. (There are restrooms at the trailhead --- another 30-45 minutes down the road; if you need a restroom break now, take the first left off Bear Valley Road and stop at the Bear Valley Visitor Center).

Continue on Bear Valley Road until you pick up Sir Francis Drake again. Turn left to follow Sir Francis Drake out to Point Reyes. Go through Inverness. At the junction with Pierce Point Road, bear left and stay on Sir Francis Drake. Follow signs towards the Lighthouse and Drake’s Beach. You’ll pass the turn to Drake’s Beach on your left. Keep going until you see a left turn to Chimney Rock. (Sir Francis Drake continues on to end at the Lighthouse parking lot).

Driving time from the College of Marin: One hour, thirty minutes. (Carpoolers can meet at St. Rita's Church in Faifax about 8:30 am). Restrooms at trailhead. (If you need an earlier restroom stop, you can stop at the Bear Valley Visitor Center). Click here to view and print a copy of the park map for the Point Reyes National Seashore.

Weather forecast: As of Tuesday, March 27, the National Weather Service forecast for the Point Reyes Lighthouse area was mostly sunny, with a high near 51. (Click here for an updated forecast). Real-time weather reporting for the Point Reyes Lighthouse is also available (click here). Sometimes it is very windy when we do this hike, so in addition to your rain gear (if the forecast changes), be sure to toss some extra layers and a warm jacket and hat (bring some duct tape to "tie" your hat on your head) in your car in case it is "blowin' like snot" (a sailor's term for windy weather).

More on this hike: The general area covered by this hike is shown in hike "G13 PR Lighthouse and Chimney Rock" in the Martin's book, Hiking Marin and the "Chimney Rock" hike in Tracy Salcedo-Chourre's book, Exploring Point Reyes National Seashore and Golden Gate National Recreation Area. You can also view and print out a map of the Chimney Rock area from the Point Reyes National Seashore Web site. The Google Earth image below shows where we'll be on this outing. (Click on the photo to open a large image in your Web browser).

Mt. Tam Trail Closures

This report of trail closures on Mt. Tam appeared in the Tuesday, 3/27 issue of the Marin IJ:

"Two popular trails in Mount Tamalpais State Park have been closed due to landslides.

"A landslide over the weekend of March 17 forced closure of a portion of the Bootjack Trail, half-way between Panoramic Highway and Muir Woods National Monument. The trail will be closed for an undetermined period of time until funding, planning and permitting can be coordinated for its repair, officials said.

"Also, a landslide the week of March 12 has forced closure of the Fern Creek Trail until further notice, also pending funding, planning and permitting for its repair.'

Mount Burdell Open Space (3/27) Hike Preview

This week we head to the Novato area to hike on Mount Burdell. Here's Wendy's description of the hike: " This loop takes us by Hidden Lake which is home to thousands of Pacific tree frogs! We may see Cream Cups, Tidy Tips, Baby Stars, and Balloon Clover,  as well as seven or eight species of butterflies. This is the only spot where Bitterroot, the Montana state flower, grows in Marin."

Directions to the trailhead: Take Highway 101 north and take the San Marin Drive exit. Go west on San Marin Drive. Turn right on San Andreas Drive. The entrance to the Open Space will be on your right. If you come to the dead end of San Andreas you've only gone about half a block too far. No lot but plenty of curbside parking. 30 minutes from College of Marin. No restrooms on this hike. (Carpoolers can meet at the Mission Street, San Rafael, Park & Ride lot at 9:05 am, or at the Smith Ranch Park & Ride lot at 9:15 am).

Weather forecast: As of Saturday, March 24, the National Weather Service forecast for the day of the hike was rain likely, mainly after 11am. Cloudy, with a high near 57. Chance of precipitation is 60%. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: Hike "E13 Old Quarry Trail to Mt. Burdell" in the Martin's book, Hiking Marin, shows the general area that we'll be hiking in, although we'll probably turn left at intersection #2 and head directly to Hidden Lake rather than climb all of the way to the summit of the mountain as shown on the Martin's map. Click here for a Mount Burdell Open Space preserve map from the Marin County Open Space District's Web site. The Google Earth image below shows where we'll be hiking. (Click on the photo to open a larger image in your Web browser).

March 20 - NO HIKE

There is no hike on Tuesday, March 20th.

Our first hike of the Spring 2012 College of Marin Spring Term will be on March 27th at the Mount Burdell Open Space in Novato.  The hike preview will come out soon.

Deer Park to Phoenix Lake Photos Now Online!

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during last week's Deer Park to Phoenix Lake hike are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album.

Bon Tempe-Lagunitas Lakes "Final Exam" Hike (3/13) Preview

This is a lovely, level lakeside loop! We could see Ring-necked Ducks, Common Mergansers, American Widgeons, Ruddy Ducks, Buffleheads, and more.  This could also be the week for our first Acmon Blue Butterly!  (Click here for a recap of our 2010 hike).

 

Remember to bring your contribution to our gourmet feast, a plate, cup, and utensils.  (We'll have lunch at Wendy's home in San Anselmo if rains makes it impossible to use the group picnic area at Lake Lagunitas).

Directions to trailhead:  As you enter Fairfax on Sir Francis Drake Boulevard jog left when you see the movie theater and make an immediate right. This puts you on the street that parallels Sir Francis Drake, but is on the other side of the Parkade.

Make the first left which is Bolinas Avenue. Follow the Bolinas-Fairfax Road for about 1 mile. Turn left onto Sky Oaks Road. You’ll need to pay at the kiosk ($8/day; or purchase a pass for $60 for Marin residents, $30 for Marin seniors 62 and older, good through next January; pay with $1, $5 and $10 bills or Visa or Mastercard.  $20 bills are NOT accepted by the pay station.

Follow the paved road on to Lake Lagunitas. We’ll have lunch at the picnic area at Lake Lagunitas so you don’t need to carry the food for the potluck.

Time: 30 minutes from College of Marin. Restrooms at trailhead, portables en route. Carpoolers can meet at St. Rita's Church at 9:20 am.

Weather forecast:  As of Wednesday, March 7th, the National Weather Service forecast for the hike was mostly cloudy, with a chance of rain and a high near 58. (Click here for an updated forecast).

More on this hike: Hike "C13 Bon Tempe Lake Trail" in the Martins' book, Hiking Marin, shows the general area where we will be hiking. However, we'll start and end at trail junction #2 on their map, rather than at Bon Tempe dam. (Click here for an MMWD map that shows this area). The Google Earth image below shows both lakes in a view looking back towards Fairfax. (Click on the photo to open a larger image in your Web browser).

Sky Trail Hike Photos Now Online!

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during last week's Sky Trail to Mt. Wittenberg hike are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album.

Steep Ravine Hike Photos Now Online!

Photos taken by Theresa Fisher during our recent Steep Ravine hike are now online!

View them on the Meandering blog or click here for the on-line album.